Improvement in awnings



.which strike together.

UNITED STATES Orrrosn.

JOHN ELLER, OE JERSEY CITY HEIGHTS, NEW JERSEY.

IMPROVEMENT IN AWNINGS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 162,36 1, dated April 20, 1875; application filed March 4, 1875.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOHN ELLER, of Jersey City Heights, in the county of Hudson and State of New Jersey, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Awnings, of which the following is a specification This invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 represents'a section of my awning crosswise of the street. Fig. 2 is a section parallel therewith.

Similar letters indicate corresponding parts.

The invention consists in an awning constructed of a series of fiat metal plates, which are supported in suitable brackets, and the inner one of which is fixed, while the remaining plates are loose and slide in guide-slots of the brackets. The outer plate is provided with a catch, and to it are fastened two or more draft-lines, in such a manner that, by means of the lines, the outer plate can be pulled in, while it takes with it the remaining plates, and if the draft-lines are released the plates slide to their proper places by their inherent gravity. The draft-lines are con nected to a common Windlass, which has combined with it a pawl and ratchet, whereby one is enabled to adjust and retain the metallic plates in any chosen position. With the loose plates are combined anti-friction rollers, in order to guide the plates and render the same easy of movement, as hereinafter fully set forth.

In the drawing, the letter A designates brackets, which constitute the main support of my awning, and which are fastened to the wall of a house or other place, in any suitable manner. These brackets, when put in place, are set at an angle so as to give to the awning the requisite inclination. The brackets, respectively, are provided with longitudinal slots a, the one a little below the line of the other, in which are fitted and arranged the metallic plates B. The slots and plates are so made, relatively to each other, that the plates overlap each other when the same occupy their normal position in the slots. The plates B are stopped by the end of their slots (6, and in addition thereto the outer plate and its adjoining plate may be provided with stops 1) projecting in opposite directions, and The innermost plate B is riveted or otherwise secured to the brackets A, so that it does not partake of movement, while the outer as well as the intervening plate or plates B are placed loosely in the slots. To prevent a lateral movement of the plates they are provided with anti-friction rollers 0, attached through the medium of brackets c, which rollers bear against the side of the brackets A. The brackets may be provided with suitable guide-grooves for the rollers. By these rollers O the plates B are steadied when they are pulled or let out, as the case may be, by the draft-line, hereinafter referred to, while they render the movement of the plates exceedingly easy. The plates are, in the present example, arranged to be pulled in by means of draft-lines and a Windlass, but other means may be employed, if seen fit. e designates two draft-chains, the one end of which is fastened to the outer plate B, whence the chains pass over guidepulleys D, and wind on a common Windlass, E. On one or both sides of this Windlass is a ratchet-wheel, F, which is engaged by a pawl, f, hung on a pin projecting from the house to which my awning is applied. By winding up the chains on the Windlass G the outer plate B is pulled in, and this latter being provided with one or more catches, g, the intervening plates are pulled in with it. l/Vhen all the plates are pulled in to their full extent they are flush with the fixed or inner plate. By properly adjusting. the pawl and ratchet f Gr, the plates B may be held in various positionsas, for instance, the outer plate alone may be pulled in, wholly or in part; or the said outer plate, together with the second plate, may be pulled in to a portion or the whole of the second plate, 850. When the plates are released, by releasing the ratchetwheel G from its pawl, the plates slide out to their proper places by their inherent gravity. By this means I obtain 'an awning Which is compact, strong, and durable, is easily operated, and not liable to get out of order.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination of the bracket A, constructed with the parallel guide-grooves a a, and rigid plate B, and the sliding plates adapted to the grooves in the bracket, and the outer plate having the vertical catch 9, all In testimony that I claim the foregoing I substantially as described. have hereunto set my hand and seal this 13th 2. The c0n1binati0n,with the movable plates day of February, 1875.

B of an awning, and the bracket A, of the anti-friction rollers O, which bear against the JOHN ELLER. [L. s.] sides of the lateral brackets A and prevent Witnesses: lateral movement of the plates, substantially C. F. KASTENHUBER,

as and for the purpose described. FRANCIS FORBES. 

